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World Journal of Pharmaceutical Research (WJPR) will give best paper award in every issue in the form of money along with certificate to promote research activity of scholar. Best Paper Award : Dr. Muhammad Baqir MR Fakhrildin
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Abstract

ASSESSMENT OF CARDIOVASCULAR RISK FACTORS AMONG UNIVERSITY OF BELIZE STUDENTS

Abstract: Presently there is no known reported data on cardiovascular
disease risks assessment in college students in Belize. Cardiovascular
disease (CVD) is the leading cause of mortality the world over. In
Belize, hypertension and diabetes mellitus type two are the major
metabolic disorders and among the leading causes of morbidity and
mortality. Although the prevalence of these disorders have been
reported in the wider population, no known comprehensive study exist
among college students in Belize. Objective: To assess risk factors
associated with developing cardiovascular diseases among college
students with the aim of providing a pilot baseline data for use in
planning a much larger scale study to address issues of metabolic and
cardiovascular disorders among college population in Belize.
Participants: Thirty-eight (38) registered undergraduate university of Belize students ages
17 – 30 volunteered for the study. Methods: Standardized protocols and procedures were
used to obtain and analyze blood pressures, anthropometrics and blood chemistries among the
students. Results: The mean for all observed results were: age 20.61 (± 3.5); BMI 23.4 (±
4.15); Systolic Blood Pressure (SBP), 116.74 mmHg. 39.47% had SBP ≥ 120mmHg. Mean
biochemical studies showed: Total Cholesterol (TC) 140.89mg/dL; Triglycerides (TAG)
levels for males (175.85mg/dL) were higher compared with female participants
(83.17mg/dL). 13.16% had TAG above 150mg/dL while mean GLU values were observed to be 91.85mg/dL. 64% of students had family history of CVD’s; 63.16% reported eating
healthy diets; 76.32% engaged in physical activity; 73.68% do not engage in harmful alcohol
consumption while none (0%) of the students reported smoking cigarettes. Conclusions:
Although some of the individuals investigated in this study had one or more risk of
developing cardiovascular disease, generally majority of the students showed a low risk for
the disease.